Humidifier having conduits with return bends



Jan. 16, 1934. R MAGNEY 1,943,897

HUMIDIFIER HAVING CONDUITS WITH RETURN BENDS June 25, 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 QJan. 16, G R MAGNEY HUMIDIFIER HAVING CONDUITS WITH RETURN BENDS FiledJune 25. 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 r f /w a a W 4 0 M W W Jan. 16, 1934-.MAGNEY 1,943,897

HUMIDIFIER HAVING CONDUITS WITH RETURN BENDS Patented Jan. 16, 1934PATENT OFFICE HUMIUDEFKER HAVING CONDUITS WITH RETURN BENDS 12 Claims.

This invention relates to a humidifying device, and particularly to sucha device adapted to be used in connection with a heating element such asa radiator used for heatinga room. A great deal of attention is nowbeing given to the problem of keeping the air in living rooms at theproper degree of humidity. Properly humidified air has many advantagesand is more healthful than air which is deficient in humidity.

It is an object or" this invention, therefore, to provide a simple andeiiicient unit which may be disposed adjacent a element such as aradiator, said unit core sing a casing having a lower portion disposeds". istantially horizontally and having an upper portion connectedthereto, said upper portion having an elongated comparatively narrowdischarge opening, said latter portion having an opening through whichair can pass and into which a fine spray or mist may be projected.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a humidiiying unitcomprising a tube-like casing having a lower portion with an opening inone end, said casing having a reverse bend at its other end and havingupper portion extending from said reverse bend, said upper portionhaving a discharge nozzle with an elongated comparatively narrowdischarge opening therein, said upper portion preferably being oftapered form.

It is still another object or" the invention to provide a hurnidifyingdevice having in combination with a radiator, a housing enclosing saidradiator forming a chamber thereabove, a cas ing disposed in said havinga lower portion extending longitudinally of radiator with an opening atone end, having an upper portion with a comparatively narrow elongateddischarge opening, said housing having an air inlet opening at itsbottom and an outlet opening adjacent its top a also adjacent saiddischarge opening, said casi g having means supporting it from said housog, means directing a fine mist or into opening in the end of said lowerportion.

t is more specificall n. object of the inven tion to provide a hurnihaving in combination with a radi or, a housing enclosing the radiatorand for og a chamber thereabove, said housing ha an inlet opening forair at its bottom and outlet adjacent its top, a conduit adjacent theradiator and connected thereto at its ends, a casing disposed above saidradiator having a lower portion extending longitudinally of saidradiator, and an upper portion having a discharge nozzle with anelongated narrow discharge opening disposed adjacent said outletopening, a liquid supply pipe passing through said conduit and having anozzle secured thereto and disposed at one end of said casing directinga fine spray or mist into said casing.

It is a further object of the invention to provide such a device as setforth in the preceding paragraph, together with means for regulating thedischarge of liquid from said nozzle in accordance with the temperaturein said supply pipe.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be fullyset forth in the following description made in connection with theaccompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer tosimilar parts throughout the several views and in which:-

Fig. 1 is a vertical section taken for the most part on line 1-1 of Fig.2, a small portion being shown in front elevation;

Fig. 2 is a section taken substantially on line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken substantially on line 4-4 of Fig. 5,a portion being shown in front elevation;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4; and,

Fig. 6 is a vertical section taken on line 6-4) of Fig. 4, said sectionsbeing taken as indicated by the arrows.

eferring to the drawings, particularly Figs. 1 to 3, a device is showncomprising a heating element 10 in the form of a radiator. While anyform of radiator might be used, in the embodiment of the inventionillustrated, a radiator of the type having pipes conducting a heatingmedium and metal plates such as copper plates extending transverselythereof, is shown. Said radiator comprises the end members or headers10a and 10?) between which extend the pipes 100 whi h pass through andsupport a multiplicity of transverse thin metal plates 1001. An inlet orsupp y pipe 11 is connected to the header 10a, the same being equippedwith a regulating valve 12. A discharge pipe 13 is shown connected tothe header 1%, the same being equipped with a trap member 14:. A pipe orconduit 15 is provided connected at one end by the coupling 16 to theheader 10a and connected at its other end to a T- member 20, connectedto the top of the header 1%. A relief valve 21 is connected to the topof T-member 20. An aquastat or thermostat 17 of the so-called surfacetype is secured to conduit 15 adjacent T-member 20. Said member hasprojecting lugs at its ends about which and the pipe 15 pass the clips19 securing member 1'? to said pipe. A connection 22 is screwed into theside of T-mernber 20 to which is connected a supply pipe 23 for liquidsuch as water, and this pipe passes through member 2i conduit 15. Anelbow connection 2% is screwed into the fitting at the end of conduit 15to which a connection pipe 220. is secured. Pipe 22a extends from member24 to the strainer member 25, and another short pipe 22b forming acontinuation of pipe 22a extends from strainer member 25 to a solenoidvalve 25. A housing 2'? encloses the radiator 10 having a rear wall 27a,a front wall 271) and end Walls 27c extending between the walls 27a and2%, said housing thus being substantially rectangular in horizontalcross section. Casing 27 has openings 27d at the bottom thereof formingair inlet openings and the front wall 272) is provided with amultiplicity of openings 27c forming outlet openings for air. Said frontwall 2'21) has a depressed panel in which openings 276 are located andalso a depressed panel below said panel, said panels being disposedbetween portions 27; and 275/. A member 27h extends about i the top ofcasing 2? also forming an ornamental bead and forming the top of saidcasing. Partitions 28 extend vertically between the front and rear walls27a and 2712 some distance from the latter, said partitions extendingfrom the top A of the housing 27 and having outwardly extendinghorizontal portions at their bottoms engaging the tops of the headerslea and 182) respectively. As shown in Fig. l, the partitions 28 formchambers at the ends of housing 27 in which are disposed the members 20,21, 22, the strainer 25 and the fitting 16. A casing 30 is provided,disposed in housing 27 between partitions 28, said casing having a lowerportion 30a extending longitudinally of housing 27 and radiator 10.While casing 30 might be variously formed, in the embodiment of theinvention illustrated it is shown as tube-like or tubular in form.Portion 305: has an opening at its right hand end as seen in Fig. 1 anda nozzle 31 is connected to valve 26 in position to have a dischargeaperture directed into and lengthwise of portion 30a centrally there of.Nozzle 31 is constructed and arranged to direct a fine spray or mistinto portion 38a. Casing 3b is formed with a return bend. or reversebend or elbow 30b and an upper portion 300 extends from portion 301)above portion 390! and thus longitudinally of the housing 27. The lowerportion 30a inclines downwardly somewhat toward its left hand end asseen in l and a drain pipe 32 is connected to the 10*; est por ion ofcasing, the same extending through one partition 28 and downwardlythrough the bottom of housing 27. Portion 39c turns upwardly and hassecured thereto an upwardly extending flaring portion 36d, the upperportion of which is quite elongated and in the shape of an elongatedrectangle in horizontal cross section. A discharge portion or nozzle 306extends from the top of portion 380? and as shown. Figs. 1, 2 and l 3,this portion extends laterally and has a discharge opening or slot ofelongated and oom-- ing 30 has a pair of lugs 30h extending from its topadjacent portion 30d into which are secured the hooks 33. Bars as extendacross casing 2'7 adjacent the top thereof having iianges engaging thesides 27a and 2% respectively and secured thereto by suitable bolts orrivets. Rolls 35 extend downwardly from the bars 34, said rods havingeyelets at their upper ends through which pass the headed and nuttedbolts 36 secured in the bars 341, said rods 35 also having eyelets attheir lower ends into which hooks The portion 30a of casing 30 has ahook 3? secured in its top adjacent its open end and said hook ongagesover a rod 38 extending between walls 2% and 27b and supported in lugs38;: thereon. Casing 30 is thus supported so that it can be readilyremoved by disengagement of the hooks and 37.

In operation the pipe 22 will be connected to a source of water underpressure such the city mains. A heating medium will be supplied toradiator 10 through the pipe 11. The aquastat 17 will be electricallyconnected to the solenoid valve 26 so that when the temperature of themedium in conduit 15 is at a certain point, the valve 26 will open waterwill be projected from nozzle 31. Valve 26 also be controlled bythermostat or humidistat disposed in the rooms to be heated. his waterwill be projected in the form of very fine spray or mist longitudinallyof the portion 0a of casing 30. The mist is projected preferably in theform of a cone having its apex at the nozzle and its base substantiallyat the wall or portion 380.. When the radiator is heated, thetemperature within the casing 2'? and within the chamber betweenpartitions 28 will be quite high and the air in said chamber will beheated as will also the casing 30. There will be a tendency for the airto rise through the casing 30 and the movement of the ir through saidcasing will be augmented by the spray from nozzle 31. The mist or liquidthus moving through the casing 30 will be thoroughly mixed with the airand tak n up thereby and the moisture laden air will pass to the top ofcasing 30 and be discharged through the opening in nozzle 30c. This airwill pass through the openings 276 into the rooms to be treated. The airhousing 27 between partitions 28 is heated by radiator 10 and the airthus rises and passes out through openings 27c, air entering through thebottom openings 27d. This air passing through the housing 2'! mingleswith the moisture-laden air ng from the nozzle Bee and as stated, bothpass out through the openings 27c. Any surplus moisture in the form ofliquid will drop to the bottom of portion: 30a and 302) or will drainback to the portion 361) from the bottom of portion 300 and this moi"-ture will out through the Should any moisture collect on the walls ofportions 39d and 306, will also drain back in the portion 300 and passout through drain pipe 32. The bottom of portion 300 slo es downward Vsomewhat towards portion 30b. lip 3dr; at the end of the nozzle 30c willact somewhat as a baille to preven any moisture out at the lower edge ofthe discharge opening or dripping from said edge. When. the radiator 10contains a heating this medium will pass in conduit 15. This temperaturewill actuate the aquastat 17 so that valve 26 will be operated to-supplywater to nozzle 31 at the desired temperature. The water supplied bypipe 22 passes through strainer 25 where all solid matter will beremoved. The movement of the air through casing 30 is thus caused bothby the natural draft or the natural movement of the heated air upwardlyand by the induction of the air caused by the spray from nozzle 31. Theair passing out through the openings 276 is thus effectively humidifiedwithout any danger or" it carrying any excess moisture. By means of thetemperature control it is assured that the liquid will not be sprayed bynozzle 31 when there is no chance of its being taken up by the air.

In Figs. 4, 5 and 6 a modified construction is shown. In these figures aradiator 40 is shown and this radiator is illustrated as of the typecomprising vertically arranged sections connected at top and bottom,which type has been in common use for heating dwellings. Such a radiatoris usually much taller than the type shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 and withthe housing 2'7 of substantially the same height there would thus be asmaller chamber in the housing above the radiator. The housing 27encloses radiator 40 and said housing has the partitions 28 which partsare the same as already shown and described in Figs. 1 to 3. A casing 41is provided, disposed in the chamber above radiator 40 within thepartitions 28 and said casing has a lower portion 41a extendinglongitudinally of the radiator 40 and housing 2'? above said radiator.While casing 41 might take various forms in the embodiment of theinvention illustrated it is shown as tube-like or substantially tubularin form. Portion 41a has its bottom sloping downwardly somewhat towardits left hand end as shown in Fig. 4 and a drain pipe 42 leads from thelowest point of portion 41a through one partition 28 and then downwardlyout of housing 27 between one partition 28 and one end wall 27c. Thecasing 41 has a return bend or reversely bent portion 41b and theportion 410 extends from this portion 411) above the portion 41a.Portion 41c also extends longitudinally of the housing 27 and asillustrated is disposed above portion 41c. Portion 41c tapers toward itsright hand end as shown in Fig. 4 and said portion has extending fromone side thereof a nozzle 41d rectangular in transverse cross sectionand said nozzle has a discharge opening of comparatively narrow andelongated form disposed adjacent the openings We in the front wall 2%.The bottom of nozzle 41d projects somewhat beyond the remainder of thenozzle and a lip 41c extends vertically across the bottom, said lipextending vertically a short distance. The portion 410 is closed at itsright hand end as seen in Fig. 4 and the portion 41a is open at itsright hand end as seen in said figure. The nozzle 43 is disposed in theend portion of portion 41a, the same being connected to a magnetic valve44. A water supply pipe 45 is connected to the valve 44. The supply pipe45 preferably passes through the top of radiator 40 as shown in Fig. 3so that the water therein will be heated by said radiator. Said pipealso has disposed therein a strainer member 46 disposed between onepartition 28 and an end wall 270. An aquastat or thermostat 4'7 issecured to the radiator 40 at one end thereof and this will be connectedby electrical conductors (not shown) to the magnetic valve 44. Saidvalve 44 can also be controlled by a thermostat or humidistat in therooms to be treated. The casing 41 has secured to the top of portion 410hooks 48. The hooks 48 are engaged by eyelets at the lower ends ofsupporting links 49 having eyelets at their upper ends through whichpass headed and nutted bolts 50. The bolts 50 pass through and aresupported by the bars 51 secured to the side walls 27a and 27b in anysuitable manner, as by welding or riveting. The portion 41a of casing 41also has a hook 52 secured to its top at its free end and this hookengages over a rod 53 supported at its ends on the lugs 54 secured tothe inner sides of the walls 27a and 2%.

In operation heat will be supplied to the radiator 40 and (he pipe 45will be connected to some source of water under pressure such as thecity mains. When the temperature in the radiator 40 reaches the desiredpoint, the valve 44 will be opened by action of the thermostat oraquastat 47 and liquid such as water will be sprayed into nozzle 43 anddirected into the open end of portion 41a in very finely dividedcondition or in the form of said liquid preferably being projected inthe form of a cone having its apex at said nozzle and its base at theperipheral wall of portion 410.. As already described, the housing 27has openings at its bottom and the air in the chamber between partitions28 will be heated and will pass upward and out through the openings 276.Air will also naturally pass through the casing 41 and the movement ofthe air through the casing will be augmented by the spray from nozzle43. The finely divided water mixes wi h the air passing through casing41 and highly humidified air passes from nozzle 41d. This air passingfrom the nozzle mixes with the air passing up through the casing and outof the openings 27c. Any surplus moisture which might be directed intothe casing 41 will drop to the bottom of portion 410,, portion 41b, andportions 410 and 41d and will drain back to the lowest point in saidcasing and drain out through pipe 42. Pipe 42 will be connected to anysuitable drain. The lip 41c at the end of the nozzle 41b insures that nomoisture will be carried over the edge so as to drip therefrom. Thewater sprayed from nozzle 43 passes through the strainer 46 and allsolid matter is removed therefrom. Any clogging of the nozzle 43 is thusprevented.

From the above description it is seen that applica-nt has provided avery simple and emcient humidifying device. In both forms shown theinterior of the casings, namely casings 30 and 41, will be continuouslymoist when the device is in operation. This prevents any accumulation ofsediment which might be formed from 'i he matter in solution in thewater. The shape and size of the casings gives ample opportunity for themoisture sprayed thereinto to thoroughly mix with the air before beingdischarged. The humidified air being discharged from '1 he nozzles ashort dis-- tance from the openings in housing 27 gives opportunity fora further mixing of the humidified air with the air passing through thehousing which is not humidified. This insures that there will be nopossibility of air passing out from housing 2'! and being oversaurated.The casings 30 and 41 are arranged so that they can be readily removedwhen desired. It is only necessary to disconnect the drain pipe and thenlift the cam j ings from the supporting means. The hooks by which thecasings are supported are readily disengaged frorn the supportingmembers. It is apparent that the device can easily and conveniently beinstalled over standard radiators now in use. An apparatus which ispleasing in appearance and unobjectionable as living room equipment isthus provided. The device has been amply demonstrated in actual practiceand found to be very successful and efficient.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made inthe form, details, arrangement and proportions of the parts, withoutdeparting from the scope of applicants invention, which generallystated, consists in a device capable of carrying out the objects aboveset forth, in the parts and combinations of parts disclosed and definedin the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A humidifying device comprising in combination with a radiator, acasing enclosing and extending about said radiator, a second casingwithin said casing above said radiator and extending longitudinallythereof, the same having a return bend therein, means for discharging aline mist or spray into one end of said second casing, the latter havingmeans at its other end for discharging moisture-laden air therefrom.

2. The structure set forth in claim 1, said first mentioned casinghaving an air inlet opening at its bottom and an outlet opening adjacentits top, said last mentioned means being disposed close to said outletopening.

3. A humidiiying structure having in combination with a radiator, ahousing enclosing said radia'or and extending above the same, a casingwithin said housing disposed above said radiator and being shaped toform a circuitous passage therethrough, said casing having an upperportion provided with a fiat discharge nozzle, means for directing aline mist or spray into the end of said casing opposite said nozzle,whereby air rising from said radiator passes into one end of said casingand moisture-laden is discharged through said nozzle.

4. A humidifying str cture having in combina tion with a radiator, ahousing enclosing said radiator having an air inlet opening at itsbottom and an outlet opening adjacent its top, a tubelike casingdisposed in said housing having a lower portion extending longitudinallyof said housing and having an open end, casing having an upper portionwith a relatively narrow discharge opening extending longitudinally ofsaid housing adjacent said outlet opening, and means for di resting afine mist or spray into open end whereby moisture laden al is dischargedthrough discharge opening.

5. A humidifying device having in combination with a radiator, a housingenclosing said radiator and forming a chamber thereabove, a casingdisposed in said housing having a lower portion ex tendinglongitudinally of said radiator, means for directing a fine spray ormist into one end of said portion, said casing having an upper portionconnected at one end to the end of said first mentioned portion oppositesaid means, said upper portion having a narrow discharge openingextending lon itudinally of said housing through which moisture ladenair is discharged.

6. A humidifying device having in combination with a radiator, a housingenclosing said radiator having an air inlet opening adjacent its bottomand an outlet opening adjacent its top, a conduit above and connected atits ends to said radiator, casing in said housing extendinglongitudinally above said radiator and having a reverse bend therein, aliquid supply pipe extending through said conduit, a nozzle connected tosaid supply pipe and disposed at one end of said casing for directing afine mist or spray thereinto, said casing having a discharge openingadjacent said outlet openin 7. The structure set forth in claim 6, andmeans regulating the discharge of liquid from said nozzle in accordancewith the temperature of the liquid in said supply pipe.

8. A humidifying structure having in combination with a radiator, ahousing enclosing said radiator having an inlet opening for air at itsbottom and an outlet opening adjacent its top, a casing disposed in saidhousing having a lower portion extending longitudinally of said radiatorhaving an open end and sloping to its opposite end, a drain pipe leadingfrom said opposite end, said casing having an upper portion extendinglongitudinally of said housing and connected to said lower portion, saidupper portion having a comparatively narrow elongated discharge openingdisposed adjacent said outlet opening, and m ans for directing a linemist or spray into said open end.

9. A humidifying structure having in combination with a radiator, ahousing enclosing said radiator having an air inlet opening at itsbottom and outlet openings adjacent its top extending longitudinallythereof, a casing in said housing above said radiator, said casinghaving an elongated comparatively narrow discharge opening extendinglongitudinally of said outlet openings, said casing having an inletopening and means for directing a fine spray or mist into said inletopening.

10. A humidifying structure having in combination with a radiator, ahousing enclosing said radiator having an air inlet at its bottom and anoutlet opening adjacent its top, a casing in said housing above saidradiator, said casing having a discharge opening adjacent said outletopening, said casing having a comparatively large inlet opening belowdischarge opening, and means for directing a fine mist or spray intosaid inlet opening.

11. A humidifying structure having in combination with a radiator havinga heating medium therein, a housing enclosing said radiator having anair inlet at its bottom and an outlet opening adjacent its top, a casingin said housing above said radiator, said casing having a dischargeopening adjacent said outlet opening, said casing having a comparativelylarge inlet opening below said discharge opening, a nozzle for directingfine mister spray into said inlet opening, and means for regulating thedischarge of liquid from said nozzle in accordance with the temperatureof the heating medium in said radiator.

12. A humidifying unit adapted to be positioned above a radiatorcomprising a hollow casing having a substantially horizontal elongatedlower portion with an opening in one end, said casing having a reversebend at its other end, an upper portion extending from said bend, saidupper portion being provided with a nozzle flaring in one dimension andprovided with a horizontally disposed elongated flat discharge openingextending substantially parallel to said lower portion.

GOTTLIEB R. MAGNEY.

